Investigation on an optically pumped NH3 laser in the 12-13 μm region

A number of laser transitions in the region of 12-13 mu m have been obtained by optical pumping of NH3 molecule using a tunable TEA CO2 laser. By studying several different experimental arrangements, it is shown that the optimum pure NH3 gas pressure at room temperature is about 5 mbar. Moreover, some buffer gasses such as N-2, H-2 and He were employed and it was found that He is the most efficient gas for which the maximum efficiency up to 8% with the mixture of NH3: He = 7:16 was obtained. In this condition, the maximum energy per pulse of 125 mJ was achieved. The tunable operation of this laser was established in two distinct wavelengths of 12.812 mu m and 12.08 mu m.